Transport & Travel
You can buy a car new or used from a car dealer. You can also buy a used car from another person who is selling his or her car. In most provinces and territories, used cars must pass a safety certification before they can be driven. If the car is not sold with a valid safety certificate, it is your responsibility to arrange certification from a licensed mechanic. You are also responsible for paying for any repairs that are necessary for the car to pass the certification. After you buy a car (new or used), it must be registered with the department that regulates cars and driving in your province or territory. At the time of registration, you will also need to get a licence plate.
As an alternative to buying a car, many people in Canada lease a car from a car dealer. A lease is a legal agreement between you and the dealer in which you agree to pay them a fee to use the car for a specific period of time (usually several years). After this period ends, you must return the car to the dealer in good condition.
Since a lease is a legal agreement, make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the lease before signing. If you only need a car occasionally or for short periods, it is always possible to rent a car from one of the many car rental agencies that operate in Canadian cities and towns. Make sure that car insurance is included in your car rental agreement.
In some cities, there are car-sharing programs that allow you to use a car without buying, leasing or renting one. You may want to research this option to see if it meets your needs.
You can get further information and guidance on the process of buying or selling a car from the department that regulates cars and driving in your province or territory. For information on consumer issues related to buying a vehicle, consult the Canadian Consumer Handbook produced by federal, provincial and territorial governments at www.consumerhandbook.ca or contact your provincial or territorial consumer affairs office.
To drive a car in Canada, you will need a driver’s licence. It is illegal to drive without a licence and the penalties for doing so are very high. In Canada, a driver’s licence is issued by provincial and territorial governments. You must get a licence from the province or territory in which you live. This licence will allow you to drive anywhere in Canada. You must have it with you whenever you are driving.
If you have a valid licence from your country of origin, you will probably be able to use this to drive in Canada for a short period after arriving. Check with your provincial or territorial government department responsible for cars and driving for details. If you plan to use a foreign driver’s licence in Canada, you should get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your country of origin. An IDP provides a translation of your licence into a variety of languages, including French and English.
The process for getting a driver’s licence in Canada depends on the province or territory in which you live and on your driving background. You may need to pass a written examination on the rules of the road (study guides are available) and one or two driving tests. You may choose to pay for driving lessons to prepare for the driving tests. Once you have a licence, it will have to be renewed periodically (see the expiry date on your licence).
You can find more information on driver’s licence from the department that regulates cars and driving in your province or territory.
Provincial and territorial government departments that license cars and drivers:
Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO)
Telephone: 1-800-387-3445
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
Telephone: 1-800-950-1498
Quebec Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec
Telephone: 1-800-361-7620
Service Alberta
www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/Drivers_MotorVehicles.cfm
Telephone: 310-0000 (toll-free anywhere in Alberta)
780-427-2711 (outside of Alberta)
Manitoba Public Insurance
Telephone: 1-800-665-2410
Service New Brunswick
Telephone: 1-888-762-8600
Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Government Services
Telephone: 1-877-636-6867
Northwest Territories Department of Transportation
Telephone: Look online for regional “Issuing Offices” telephone numbers
Service Nova Scotia
Telephone: 1-800-670-4357
Government of Nunavut
Telephone: 1-877-212-6438
Prince Edward Island Access PEI
Telephone: 902-368-5200 or call a local “Access PEI” office
Saskatchewan Government Insurance
Telephone: 1-800-667-9868
Yukon Department of Community Resources
Telephone: 1-800-661-0408